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In a statement on its official news outlet, Sepah News, the IRGC condemned Israel’s “brutal crime,” saying Tabtabai was targeted in Beirut’s southern suburbs in a “flagrant and terrorist” act. The statement added that “the resistance axis and Hezbollah” reserve the right to avenge the killing and that a decisive response would come “at the appropriate time.”

At least five people, including Tabtabai, were killed and 28 others wounded in Sunday’s Israeli airstrike on a residential apartment in Haret Hreik, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry also condemned the strike in a statement on Monday, calling the attack a “brutal aggression” against Lebanon’s territorial integrity and national sovereignty.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on Monday vowed a “crushing response” to Israel over the assassination of senior Hezbollah commander Haytham Ali Tabtabai.

Xinhua

These guidelines are designed to address recurring issues, ensuring that children receive justice that focuses on rehabilitation rather than just punishment.

A report from the Judiciary indicates that during the 2024/2025 period, 1,173 criminal cases involving children were presented to the courts, marking a decrease from 1,525 cases in the previous year.

To improve these guidelines, the Supreme Court convened legal stakeholders, sharing insights and discussing what areas to be prioritized.

The Vice President of the Supreme Court, Alphonse Hitiyaremye, explained that the guidelines aim to address the aspects that were not being handled appropriately.

'Because justice must work better, these guidelines were created to help judges and other institutions provide better justice for children, ensuring that when they face legal issues, the justice they receive is aimed at rehabilitation, not just punishment,' he said.

He added that, in delivering justice, judges must focus on reintegrating children into society with the goal of rehabilitating them.

Monique Mukamana, a child rights officer at NCDA in charge of protection and care reform programming, pointed out that children face many challenges in legal proceedings.

She noted that while children have certain legal rights, these are not always respected. Proper justice for children is a fundamental right.

Typically, a child’s criminal responsibility begins between the ages of 14 and 17. However, Mukamana emphasized that children should not be treated the same way as adults in legal matters.

'The justice we give to a child aims to correct them, to help them change, not to punish them. It’s justice that helps them understand their wrongdoing and guides them back to a better life where they can develop,' she said.

Mukamana further noted that some issues arise when children lack access to legal representation.
Other challenges include delays in the child’s trial, the child not understanding the legal process, and not having a responsible adult to guide them through the process.

There are also instances where children are questioned by the police or prosecutors without proper attention to the fact that they are minors.

Often, they are not informed about the charges they face, do not have an adult with them, and their cases may not be properly followed up.

The law requires that a child should not be detained for more than five days before trial, and temporary detention should not exceed 15 days. However, these regulations are sometimes ignored.

Furthermore, to order the detention of a child, the crime they are charged with must carry a penalty of at least five years in prison.

Mukamana said, 'As child rights defenders, we want the law to be followed. If a child has committed a crime, the law should be applied accordingly. If they are temporarily detained, those 15 days should be respected, and if they need legal representation, it should be provided so they receive proper justice.'

Mukamana also stated that punishing children should not always mean imprisonment; they could also receive a suspended sentence.

The Rwanda Senate’s Commission on Social Affairs and Human Rights recently evaluated the 2023-2024 report on the justice provided to children.

It revealed several issues, including the failure to appeal children’s cases on time, the lack of preparation for trials, frequent postponements due to the absence of legal representatives, and the trial of children as adults when the crime occurred while they were still minors.

It was also noted that technology is sometimes used in trials, but children are not familiar with it. The report also highlighted concerns about how children are treated during their trials. Many children are coerced into confessing to crimes, with promises of immediate release or reduced sentences, and there are delays in trials for children held in custody.

Challenges faced by lawyers representing children

One lawyer, who has represented children for years, pointed out that one of the reasons these issues persist is because lawyers are paid very little.

He explained that individual lawyers assigned to represent children typically receive Frw 400,000, while those in law firms receive Frw 500,000. These lawyers are also required to travel to police stations when a child has been arrested, as they are obligated to represent the child.

He noted that the money they receive often runs out after travel expenses, leaving them demotivated, and sometimes they sign year-long contracts without any increase in their fees.

The President of the Rwanda Bar Association, Moïse Nkundabarashi, told IGIHE that there are plans to increase the number of lawyers representing children and raise their fees.

'We have been working with the Ministry of Justice for over 15 years to be able to represent as many children as possible. Each year, we handle between 5,000-8,000 cases of general legal assistance,' he noted.

'For children, we have seen an increase in cases each year, but the number of lawyers available remains the same because they are the ones we can afford. This means the work can sometimes become overwhelming. We are looking for ways to expand our capacity to ensure that every child who is incarcerated has a lawyer until their case reaches the appeals level,' added Nkundabarashi.

He also mentioned that there are ongoing discussions with UNICEF, which could result in the association gaining more resources to ensure all children are adequately represented.

Over 390 children incarcerated at Nyagatare Juvenile Correctional Facility

The Rwanda Correctional Service (RCS) reports that there are 395 children incarcerated at the Nyagatare Juvenile Correctional Facility, including 16 girls.

The facility offers nine years of basic education to help children continue their education, as well as vocational training in skills like carpentry, construction, tailoring, and hairdressing to support their reintegration after serving their sentences.

RCS also indicates that many of the children in detention committed crimes due to a lack of awareness of the law, poor living conditions in their families, child abuse, domestic violence, and other factors that push them toward criminal behavior.

The crimes most commonly committed by children include drug trafficking, theft, assault, sexual abuse, and homicide.

However, it is noted that when children are convicted and incarcerated, they often face mental health issues and unusual behavior, requiring ongoing counseling to help them regain their mental health and correct their negative mindset.

After noticing that the juvenile justice system in Rwanda still has areas that need improvement, the judiciary began preparing guidelines aimed at enhancing the delivery of justice to children.

IGIHE

For those who enjoy water activities, the park offers boat tours, providing a unique opportunity to explore its picturesque lakes, many of which are home to a variety of wildlife.

The park is home to several stunning lakes, including Ihema, Birengero, Murambi, Shakani, Murambya, Kamemeno, Kivumba, Hago, Shango, Gikube, Gishanju, Mukagasana, Gatete, Mihindi, Rwanyakizinga, and Mirrador.

Each lake has its own unique features, making them truly special. In an interview with IGIHE, Jean Paul Karinganire, the park’s Funding and Reporting Manager, highlighted that these distinctive characteristics make each lake one of a kind, offering something unique to every visitor.

Lake Ihema

Lake Ihema is the largest lake in Akagera National Park and the second-largest in Rwanda, after Lake Kivu. It covers an area of over 90 square kilometers and has depths ranging from 5 to 15 meters.

The name “Ihema” comes from the Kinyarwanda word used by the English explorer Henry Morton Stanley, who set up camp on the western side of the lake in 1876 while trying to discover the source of the Nile River.

However, his mission was cut short when he was attacked by the king’s forces and forced to return to Tanzania. Notably, the lake is home to Nyirabiyoro Island and Kabuga Bay, as well as Cyogo.

Nyirabiyoro is a water island inhabited by many birds, particularly darters and cormorants. Hippos and crocodiles also inhabit the area, often sunbathing on the shores.

Kabuga Bay attracts animals like elephants, buffaloes, and antelopes due to the abundant food resources. Cyogo is well-known for its crocodile population, which can also be seen basking in the sun.

The waters of Lake Ihema are rich with various fish species, including different types of tilapia, catfish, lungfish, and many kinds of cichlids.

Karinganire explained that Lake Ihema plays a significant role in community development.

He said there is a cooperative engaged in sustainable fishing at the lake, providing affordable fish to help fight malnutrition and improve the livelihoods of local communities.

'The best way to explore Lake Ihema is by boat. Akagera National Park offers four boat trips a day, from morning until evening. For peace and quiet, visitors can sit by the lake, especially at Ruzizi Tented Lodge, a 20-room hotel built in the forest along the lake’s shore.'

As the largest lake in the park, Lake Ihema is home to a rich diversity of wildlife.

Tourists embark on boat trips across Lake Ihema, where they encounter wildlife along the shores, including buffalo, hippos, crocodiles, and more.

Lake Hago

Lake Hago is situated in the heart of Akagera National Park, along with smaller lakes like Kivumba and Gishanju, enhancing the park’s beauty.

It is considered one of the most picturesque lakes in the park, attracting many visitors who enjoy its central location and scenic photo opportunities.

Lake Hago is one of the beautiful lakes nestled within Akagera National Park.

Lake Hago is a favorite among visitors, thanks to its stunning, unique landscape.

Lake Hago is admired by many who visit Akagera National Park for its breathtaking beauty.

Lake Rwanyakizinga

Lake Rwanyakizinga is located in the northern part of Akagera National Park, where you can find the luxurious Magashi Camp and the Magashi Peninsula.

The lake is well-known for the large herds of buffaloes that roam the area and for being home to various bird species like the shoebill stork and fishing eagles.

Visitors to Lake Rwanyakizinga can enjoy the serene environment and the stunning buildings of the Magashi Peninsula, located on its shores.

Lake Rwanyakizinga, with its surrounding hotels, is a popular spot that draws more visitors to Akagera National Park.

Located in the northern part of Akagera National Park, Lake Rwanyakizinga adds to the park’s scenic diversity.

Lake Shakani

Lake Shakani is famous for the annual fishing competitions that have taken place in Akagera National Park.

The name “Shakani” comes from the French term “chaque année,” meaning “every year,” reflecting the annual fishing competition that attracts many fishermen and tourists.

The lake still boasts various species of fish, and it remains one of the most admired lakes by those visiting Akagera National Park.

Lake Shakani is renowned for being a haven for a wide variety of bird species.

Lake Mihindi

Lake Mihindi is located in the central part of Akagera National Park, near the Akagera River. It is popular for its “hippo beach,” where visitors can see large groups of hippos in the water, as well as birds living in the papyrus wetlands.

The best way to visit is to stay at Mihindi Campsite or have a meal at Mihindi Café, a popular resting spot for park visitors after three to four hours of touring the park.

Mihindi Café offers excellent resting spots during the day and overnight camping facilities for those who wish to stay.

Visitors can reach the lake in about three to four hours from the southern entrance of Akagera National Park.

In 2024, the number of visitors to Akagera National Park increased by 3.83%, reaching 56,219, up from 54,141 in 2023.

In 2024, Akagera National Park generated $4.7 million in revenue, compared to $4.6 million in 2023. Ten percent of this income is allocated to the local community.

Akagera National Park is celebrated for its numerous lakes, each enhancing the park’s captivating charm.

Along the shores of Lake Hago, visitors can often spot buffaloes leisurely roaming.

IGIHE

Mpakaniye, also known as Che Guevara Jacob, was born in the Rwankuba sector of Karongi District. He fled Rwanda in 1994, following the Genocide against the Tutsi, when he was 20 years old and still in secondary school at EAVFO Kibisabo in Nyabihu.

In an interview with IGIHE, he discussed how he ended up in the FDLR and what he did until 2019 when he was brought back to Rwanda.

“I left Rwanda in 1994 after the country was taken over. In our region in the West, the army had been defeated, and many leaders fled to the Democratic Republic of Congo [DRC]. My three elders, my mother, and neighbors decided to escape, but my father stayed behind as he was imprisoned,” he said.

They went as refugees to the camps in Kamanyola, DRC, but by 1998, the Alliance of Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Congo (AFDL) launched attacks aiming to overthrow Mobutu Sese Seko’s regime, which led to the destruction of the camps, and he and others had to flee into the forests, some of whom perished.

In 1998, when FDLR was retreating from Rwanda, they returned to Congo and were instructed that every man and young man among the refugees had to join the military.

He continued, “We joined FDLR not out of choice, but due to the harsh conditions, as Rwandan refugees were being targeted by Mai Mai and AFDL, and it was dangerous to return to Rwanda. At times, if you attempted to return, you risked being killed.”

He further mentioned that they joined with the promise that if they succeeded in the war and removed Rwanda’s government, they would have a better life. Their campaign began in Masisi, and in 2002, he was assigned to a unit that protected the FDLR leaders. Later, they moved to South Kivu with Maj Gen Paul Rwarakabije.

“In 2004, Gen Rwarakabije returned home, and we stayed behind, working with Gen Sylvestre Mudacumura, and I was assigned to protect him specifically. I stayed with this group until 2014 when I suffered from heart disease and was moved to Rutshuru, then later to Goma for treatment.”

Lt Col Mpakaniye emphasized that the living conditions of FDLR fighters led to the recruitment of children under the age of 18.

He explained, “Because fighters in FDLR often stayed away from their families, their children, some as young as 16 or 17, grew accustomed to fighting. These children grew up surrounded by weapons and got used to them from a young age. Their lives became about fighting because they were born into it.”

He added that these children often don’t attend school and by the time they turn 18, they know nothing other than warfare.

Warfare mixed with preaching

Mpakaniye also shared that in 1992, while still a student, he was already a preacher. When he arrived in DRC, he joined the ADEPR Church in Exile, where he started preaching alongside his military duties in FDLR.

“I began volunteering in preaching in 2003, and had been given full responsibility as a preacher by 2019. The FDLR military unit we were in also had an ADEPR Church. We taught the Word of God, but the FDLR had other groups that promoted messages aligning with its agenda,” he said.

Mpakaniye clarified that his preaching focused on genuine Christian teachings, even though other preachers under FDLR were used to bolster the militia’s morale by falsely claiming that God was supporting them.

He also mentioned some significant battles the FDLR suffered, including the attack that killed Gen Leodomir Mugaragu, one of its top leaders, and operations like “Umoja Wetu” and others from DRC to fight armed groups.

In 2019, while in Goma receiving treatment for his heart condition, he was captured by the DRC military and handed over to Rwanda, where he found himself back in the country.

Mpakaniye concluded by stating that his wife and six children still live in Goma, and he hopes to bring them back to Rwanda once he has fully recovered and reintegrated into civilian life.

Lt Col Emillien Mpakaniye, who recently completed his training at the Mutobo Demobilisation and Reintegration Centre, has shared his experience of being recruited into the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), serving as a soldier in a unit tasked with protecting the top leaders, while also acting as a preacher, until his repatriation to Rwanda.

IGIHE

During the 13-minute segment dedicated to Rwanda, Kevin Hart expresses his surprise at how the country contrasts with common American misconceptions about Africa. He explains how his visit to Kigali reshaped his perception of the continent.

Hart began by commenting on Rwanda’s exceptional cleanliness, describing it as one of the cleanest countries he had ever visited, noting that the level of cleanliness was unlike anything he had encountered before.

Hart expressed how difficult it was to find even a small piece of litter on the streets, emphasizing that one of the most striking things he witnessed was the country’s tradition of Umuganda, a community clean-up day.

Hart humorously notes that such an initiative would be impossible in many developed countries, including the United States.

Another highlight of Hart’s visit was Rwanda’s safety and tranquility, which he found to be ideal for both relaxation and exploration.

Another highlight of Hart’s visit was Rwanda’s safety and tranquility, which he found to be ideal for both relaxation and exploration. He remarked that the country’s peaceful and well-organized environment made him question why other nations couldn’t achieve the same level of security.

In his special, Hart also addresses the outdated perceptions some Westerners have about Africa. However, upon arriving in Kigali, he realized that the reality was far different from the preconceived notions people often have.

Hart also expresses admiration for the country’s infrastructure, governance, and development, comparing Rwanda favorably to many advanced nations.

Hart reflects on his family’s trip to Rwanda in July 2023, which included visits to the Volcanoes National Park, home to the rare mountain gorillas, as well as Akagera National Park and a memorial to the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

Before leaving Rwanda, Hart and his family also toured the Haute Baso fashion studio, where they purchased locally made products, including clothing.

Before leaving Rwanda, Hart and his family toured the Haute Baso fashion studio, where they purchased locally made products, including clothing.

Hart also reflectsed on his family’s trip to Rwanda in July 2023, which included visits to the Volcanoes National Park, home to the rare mountain gorillas.

During his previous visit, Kevin Hart visited Kigali Genocide Memorial where he learnt more about Rwanda’s dark history that led to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

IGIHE

Speaking on the sidelines of the Capital Market Issuer Roadshows’ closing ceremony at Kigali Serena Hotel, Rwabukumba said the initiatives aim to deepen private sector participation, expand access to long-term finance, and support sustainable investment across Rwanda and the continent.

'We have received the necessary approvals to allow hard-currency denominated instruments in our market. Soon, companies will be able to raise financing in dollars or other currencies, and investors will be able to invest in these instruments,' said Rwabukumba, who was appointed president of the continental stock exchange body in April 2024.

The Green Finance Window will provide a platform for companies and investors involved in environmentally sustainable projects to raise capital efficiently, while the Pan-Africa ESG Awards will recognise outstanding corporate and individual performance in environmental, social, and governance practices across the continent.

'The market is ready for these instruments,' Rwabukumba said, noting that RSE has already raised more than Rwf 70 billion through sustainability-linked and green bonds, reflecting strong investor interest in sustainable finance.

The ASEA conference, scheduled for November 26-28 at the Kigali Convention Centre, will convene securities exchanges, regulators, investors, and financial service providers from across Africa and the globe. This year’s theme is 'Adapting to Global Market Shifts: Strategies for Resilience and Growth.'

Rwabukumba highlighted the broader context for these developments, noting that African capital markets remain underutilised, with low company listings and liquidity levels.

'Across the continent, excluding South Africa, the average number of new listings per market is less than one per year,' he said. 'We must foster a culture of equity investment and local ownership to mobilise savings and drive sustainable growth.'

He added that the conference will serve as a platform for dialogue on critical issues, including SME financing, technological innovation in markets, and sustainability-linked finance. Speakers from countries such as Jamaica will share experiences on leveraging capital markets to support SMEs and cultivate an equity culture.

Capital Markets Authority (CMA) CEO Thapelo Tsheole said the ASEA conference will also spotlight Rwanda’s rapid market growth and the expanding ecosystem of licensed entities.

'The conference provides a unique opportunity to showcase Rwanda’s capital market developments, including record fundraising, strong turnover, green finance initiatives, and new ESG recognition programs,' Tsheole said.

Established in 1993, ASEA represents more than 30 securities exchanges across Africa, providing a platform for cooperation, policy development, and knowledge sharing. The Kigali conference will focus on strategies for resilience and growth as African markets navigate global economic shifts.

RSE CEO Pierre Celestin Rwabukumba said the exchange will launch the Green Finance Window, hard-currency instruments, and Pan-Africa ESG Awards at ASEA 2025 in Kigali.

Wycliffe Nyamasege

The announcement came during the groundbreaking ceremony for the Devki Mega Steel Project in Tororo District, Uganda, on November 23, attended by Kenyan President William Ruto and Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni. Both leaders confirmed plans to extend the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) from Kenya to Uganda and onward to Rwanda, and to co-own the Mombasa-Kampala oil pipeline.

'In January, we will be launching the extension of the SGR from Naivasha to Malaba, then to Kampala, and onwards to the Democratic Republic of Congo, passing through Rwanda. This project is aimed at improving transport and logistics across the region to enhance competitiveness,' President Ruto said.

He also confirmed progress on the pipeline: 'Joint investment of the pipeline from Eldoret through Kampala to the border with DRC and Rwanda is in an advanced stage. The governments of Kenya and Uganda have given approval to co-invest in extending this pipeline so it can serve East Africa as a jointly owned facility.'

Kenya is divesting around 60 percent of the pipeline’s ownership to allow Uganda, Rwanda, and private investors to participate.

'As the governments and regional investors co-invest in the Kenya Pipeline Company, I encourage citizens of our region to equally participate. Shares will be made available to public entities, but more importantly, to citizens of our region,' Ruto added.

President Museveni praised the initiative, emphasising its broader impact on regional trade and security.

'These roads and transport systems are currently inefficient. We need to rationalise them. Fuel will go through the pipeline, while cargo and passengers will use the railway. This will allow us to co-invest up to the Congo border and ensure the secure transport of resources,' Museveni said.

Rwanda has already completed feasibility studies for the railway extension through its territory, with government officials confirming readiness to implement the project once the neighbouring countries finalise their sections.

'The studies will guide the construction process. Now, it is a matter of seeing neighbouring countries begin their sections,' Emmanuel Nuwamanya, acting Head of Policy and Planning at the Ministry of Infrastructure, told a forum organised by the African Development Bank on Wednesday, November 12, 2025.

Preparations for Uganda’s section of the SGR from Malaba to Kampala have already begun, with Turkish firm Yapi Merkezi conducting geotechnical surveys along the 273-kilometre corridor. Most of the land has been acquired, ending nearly two decades of delays.

The projects, which include upgrading Northern Corridor roads and constructing dual carriageways linking key border towns, are expected to reduce transport costs, boost regional trade, generate thousands of jobs, and strengthen integration across East Africa, including Rwanda, Kenya, and Uganda.

President William Ruto of Kenya announced that work on the construction of the railway will resume in January 2026.

The resumption of the railway line would mark a significant milestone for regional trade and integration.

Wycliffe Nyamasege

Led by the Capital Market Authority (CMA) in partnership with the Rwanda Stock Exchange (RSE), the Rwanda National Investment Trust Ltd, and the Private Sector Federation (PSF), the initiative engaged over 700 enterprises across all four provinces and Kigali. Participants included SMEs, cooperatives, corporates and prospective issuers seeking guidance on raising equity and debt capital through formal markets.

CMA Chief Executive Officer, Thapelo Tsheole, said the nationwide effort successfully brought financial market opportunities closer to businesses that traditionally operated outside the capital.

'We set out to bring capital market opportunities to every part of Rwanda, and we achieved that. This effort represents the beginning of a wider strategy to extend financial participation and stimulate enterprise development through local markets,' he said.

Private Sector Federation CEO, Stephen Ruzibiza, noted that the capital market provides patient, partnership-oriented capital that can accelerate business expansion and reduce overreliance on collateral-based loans. He highlighted financing instruments such as corporate bonds, commercial paper, stock exchange listings and real estate investment trusts as tools that enable companies to diversify their capital base and scale sustainably.

Rwanda National Investment Trust Ltd CEO, Jonathan Gatera, emphasised that long-term domestic savings will continue to anchor the country’s capital market growth.

'Increased saving drives domestic investment. That change in behaviour is fundamental to building sustainable financial capacity,' he said, pointing to the rising importance of pension schemes, unit trusts and pooled investment vehicles.

From the market operations perspective, Rwanda Stock Exchange Chief Executive Officer, Pierre Celestin Rwabukumba, stressed that public markets provide more than just capital, helping issuers strengthen governance and operational standards.

'A public listing provides not just funding, but structure, discipline, and visibility. For ambitious companies, it is a strategic evolution,' he said.

Speaking from private sector experience, Grain Millers Plc Chairperson, Chantal Habiyakare, said listing on the market transformed the company’s competitiveness and formalisation.

'We are living proof that the market works. Going public helped us grow, formalise operations, and compete more effectively. It changed how we operate for the better,' she said.

Delivering the keynote address, Steven Biganiro, Director General of Capital Markets and Investment Schemes at the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning (MINECOFIN), reaffirmed the government’s commitment to mobilising domestic resources and strengthening financial independence.

'We have laid the foundation. The next step is to build an economy in which our own markets finance our own development. This is about sustainability and shared prosperity,' he said.

While the nationwide campaign has concluded, stakeholders agree that the work continues. The roadshows are seen as a catalyst for sustained engagement among enterprises, regulators and investors as Rwanda seeks to expand market participation and liquidity.

With more local companies exploring listings and international investors seeking entry into frontier markets, Rwanda is positioning itself to build a more transparent, inclusive and robust financial ecosystem capable of financing national development from within.

CMA CEO Thapelo Tsheole stated that the campaign brought capital market opportunities closer to businesses beyond the capital.

RSE CEO Pierre Celestin Rwabukumba told the delegates that public markets help companies strengthen governance and operational standards.

Rwanda National Investment Trust Ltd CEO, Jonathan Gatera, emphasised that long-term domestic savings will continue to anchor the country’s capital market growth.

Private Sector Federation CEO, Stephen Ruzibiza, noted that the capital market provides patient, partnership-oriented capital that can accelerate business expansion and reduce overreliance on collateral-based loans.

Participants included SMEs, cooperatives, corporates and prospective issuers seeking guidance on raising equity and debt capital through formal markets.

Wycliffe Nyamasege

The discussions were centred on a 28-point proposal, confirmed to be authored by the United States with input from both Kyiv and Moscow. The proposal, which leaked days prior to the talks, caused widespread confusion among allies and a fierce political debate within the US administration.

In a series of weekend posts on his social media platform, President Trump complained that Ukraine’s leadership 'has expressed zero gratitude' for American efforts. He also accused European countries of continuing to buy oil from Russia while the United States 'continues to sell massive amounts of weapons to NATO, for distribution to Ukraine.' His comments came directly before the Geneva negotiations began.

The peace framework also sparked chaos in Washington. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio faced a major crisis after reports emerged that he told Senators the plan was a “Russian wish list” and not an American proposal. Rubio then publicly reversed course, confirming via a social media post that the plan was indeed “authored by the U.S.” but based on input from all sides. Trump, for his part, later said the plan was not America’s 'final offer,' adding to the uncertainty over Washington’s definitive position.

In Europe, leaders voiced significant concerns about the proposal’s concessions. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated publicly that while a chance to end the war existed, he was “still quite a way from a good outcome for everyone,” reflecting widespread European scepticism. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stressed that any settlement must protect Ukraine’s sovereignty and preserve the European Union’s central role in security.

From Kyiv, senior Ukrainian officials were cautiously positive about the diplomatic process but firm on red lines. Andriy Yermak, President Volodymyr Zelensky’s chief of staff, said the Geneva meeting showed 'very good progress' and noted that teams would continue to refine the text.

However, a major sticking point is that the draft framework reportedly crosses Ukraine’s long-standing red lines, particularly demanding the withdrawal of forces from the remaining Ukrainian-controlled part of Donetsk province, a territorial concession Kyiv has repeatedly rejected.

The proposal has also drawn criticism in Washington. Several Republican lawmakers rejected the plan’s concessions, warning that any agreement must reflect 'the will of the Ukrainian people,' signalling deep resistance to any arrangement that could pressure Ukraine into ceding territory.

European diplomats warned privately that they were preparing for the possibility that the United States could scale back its military and financial support for Ukraine, a scenario they described as increasingly plausible if Kyiv rejects the plan. They stressed that if Western unity breaks down, Ukraine could be left vulnerable at a critical moment in the conflict.

The Geneva talks are expected to continue, but the fundamental disagreements surrounding the peace plan, combined with Trump’s public attacks, have raised new questions about whether the West can remain united as efforts continue to reach a credible and durable settlement.

US President Donald Trump has sharply criticised both Ukraine’s leadership and several European governments as high-level officials met in Geneva, Switzerland, on November 23, 2025, to discuss a controversial peace framework aimed at ending the war with Russia.

Rania Umutoni

The summit opened under strain. The United States boycotted the meeting entirely.

Russia’s Vladimir Putin, China’s Xi Jinping and Mexico’s Claudia Sheinbaum were also absent from the summit. Putin is wanted by the international criminal court, to which South Africa is a signatory. Xi has delegated attending many international gatherings this year to China’s premier, Li Qiang.

In an unusual move, world leaders from the Group of 20 broke with tradition and adopted a declaration at the start of their summit in South Africa on Saturday despite opposition from the United States.

Traditionally, such declarations are adopted at the end, but the hosts acted early to ensure the meeting showed at least a minimum of unity.

The declaration focused on the priorities of developing countries, highlighting debt sustainability and the need for support to nations affected by climate-related disasters.

President Cyril Ramaphosa said the text 'reaffirms our renewed commitment to multilateral cooperation and our recognition that our shared goals outweigh our differences.' The declaration remained non-binding and largely symbolic.

Besides, the war in Ukraine dominated discussions, and French president Emmanuel Macron warned that the G20 'may be reaching the end of a cycle,' saying members were finding it difficult to resolve major crises together.

Only hours after the declaration was adopted, Argentina’s foreign minister said his country 'cannot approve this declaration,' pointing to 'red lines,' especially regarding the wording on the Middle East conflict.

The United States also criticized the host country, accusing South Africa of 'weaponising their G20 presidency to undermine the G20’s founding principles.'

Although a joint declaration allowed the summit to save face on paper, the tensions revealed in Johannesburg showed the fragile state of the forum.

South Africa managed to salvage the credibility of a faltering G20 summit held in Johannesburg on November 22—23, 2025, the first time the forum was hosted on African soil.

Rania Umutoni